WE’RE ALL ONE AND THEN SOME: INTRO TO NON-DUALISTIC PHILOSOPHY

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WE’RE ALL ONE AND THEN SOME: UNDERSTANDING NON-DUALISTIC PHILOSOPHY AND FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY

WE’RE ALL ONE, AND THEN SOME

“We’re all one” is a term we’ve heard many times, and there’s no doubt the yogic

tradition believes it to be true. However, as Einstein put it, a great formula is

simple, but not too simple, and that’s how we might describe the proclamation of

one-ness at the heart of the yogic tradition. Kashmir Shaivism, the philosophical

roots of Shambhavananda Yoga, posits that the universe is both a unified whole

and also composed of infinitely different parts, and what’s more— these aren’t

contradictory facts but rather, are essential and complimentary.

MEANING OF NON-DUAL

Non-duality, or “Advaita” in Sanskrit, is a fundamental concept in the Yogic and

Vedantic traditions that emphasizes the inherent oneness and interconnectedness

of all existence. It challenges the conventional way of perceiving reality as di-

vided into separate and distinct entities, encouraging a deeper understanding of

the underlying unity that permeates the universe.

In the yogic context, non-duality asserts that there is an essential unity beyond

the apparent diversity and multiplicity of the world. This unity is often described

as the ultimate reality, the source from which all things emanate and to which

all things return. Non-duality suggests that the boundaries we perceive between

ourselves, other individuals, and the world around us are illusory, born out of our

limited senses and conditioned thinking.

Key aspects of the concept of non-duality in the yogic tradition include:

· Unity of Self and Universe: Non-duality teaches that there is no funda-

mental distinction between the individual self (Atman) and the cosmic

reality (Brahman). The individual self is seen as an expression or

reflection of the universal consciousness. Realizing this unity is often a

central goal of spiritual practice.

· Beyond Duality: Non-duality challenges the dualistic way of thinking

that separates concepts like good and bad, self and other, pleasure and

pain. It encourages transcending these dualities to recognize the under-

lying interconnectedness of all things.

· Direct Experience: Non-duality is not just a philosophical concept to be

understood intellectually; it’s meant to be directly experienced through

practices like meditation and self-inquiry. By quieting the mind and

looking beyond the surface level of reality, practitioners aim to glimpse

the deeper unity that underlies all phenomena.

· Freedom from Illusion (Maya): The concept of Maya refers to the illu-

sion that the world is separate and distinct. Non-duality teaches that

by realizing the true nature of reality, one can break free from this

illusion and perceive the world as an interconnected whole.

Transcendence of Ego: Ego, or the sense of a separate self, is seen as a

barrier to understanding non-duality. Through self-inquiry and medi-

tation, practitioners aim to transcend the ego and experience a deeper

sense of unity and interconnectedness.

· Effortless Flow: Non-duality suggests that when one aligns with the

underlying unity of existence, there is a sense of effortlessness and flow

in life. This is because one is no longer resisting the natural harmony

of the universe.

· Integration of Diversity: Non-duality doesn’t negate the diversity of the

world; rather, it encourages recognizing unity within diversity. Just as

different waves are expressions of the same ocean, different individu-

als are expressions of the same universal consciousness.

In summary, non-duality in the yogic tradition is a profound realization that goes

beyond intellectual understanding. It’s about directly experiencing the intercon-

nectedness of all things, recognizing the illusion of separateness, and aligning

with the deeper reality that transcends the limitations of the ego and the mind.

SHIVA AND SHAKTI

While Shiva, the deity, is often envisioned as a meditative ascetic in the Himala-

yas, the broader concept of Shiva within the Yogic tradition is actually formless,

the endless underlying canvas of all reality. On the other hand, Shakti, despite

being portrayed in various goddess forms, is also recognized as the rhythmic

pulse of all creation. To illustrate, if Shiva is the expansive ocean, Shakti corre-

sponds to the dancing waves that emerge upon its surface. Just as Shiva symbol-

izes the canvas, Shakti manifests as the vivid imagery painted upon it.

The Vijnana Bhairava, drawing a parallel to fire, elucidates the relationship

between Shiva and Shakti. Shiva represents the fire itself, while Shakti embodies

the warmth and radiance it generates, serving diverse purposes—ranging from

a cooking flame to an illuminating light bulb. Intriguingly, all these fire mani-

festations are fundamentally fire, yet simultaneously exhibit distinct uniqueness.

As the Vijnana Bhairava states, “The burning power of fire is not accepted as separate

from fire even after full consideration. It is only described in a distinct way as a preliminary

step for the listener towards its knowledge.” In the words of Jai Deva Singh, “Just as there

is no difference between fire and its power of burning, even so there is no difference between

Shiva and Shakti.” In this manner, among myriad other insights, the Yogic tradition

imparts the profound wisdom of perceiving a harmonious unity amid infinitely

diversified elements.

TRANSCENDING THE MIND

The Yogic tradition widely emphasizes that grasping the concept of non-dual-

ity—where the entirety and its individual components coexist—is beyond the

capacity of the thinking mind. In fact, the Vijnana Bhairava instructs that gen-

uine understanding of this concept comes solely through quieting the mind and

experiencing it directly.

“Is it impossible to have an experience of this [non-dual] state? One can be

aware of it [only when] one is completely free of thoughts.” (Verse 15).

This doesn’t imply cessation of study in our quest for growth and comprehension;

rather, it underscores that our pursuit should extend beyond studying. Learn-

ing serves as a guide, a map leading us towards the true journey. Consider the

study of anatomy in this context—not merely as a rote memorization of bodily

elements, but as a means to enrich the experience of movement and asana. It

ignites a deeper connection with our own anatomy, enhancing inner awareness

and sensation. By scrutinizing distinct elements (bones, joints, muscles, etc.), we

enhance our capacity to perceive the entirety, enabling more graceful movement

with heightened inner consciousness. This approach mirrors the fundamental

principles of the yogic tradition: journeying the path of Shakti to ultimately

encounter the realm of Shiva.

As elucidated by the Vijnana Bhairava in verse 17,

“When you tread on the level of Shakti, then you are treading on the path.

This is the journey we have to do, the journey we have to do in the field

of Shakti, not in the field of Shiva [where] there is no journey.”

In essence, it entails utilizing diverse elements to rediscover the holistic essence.

Embracing a variety of experiences in our daily lives—surrendering, being pres-

ent, opening our hearts—becomes a conduit for harnessing different forms of

Shakti to unveil Shiva. It is at this juncture that magic unfolds, and authentic

understanding descends.

SUMMARY & REFLECTION

Non-dualistic philosophy, or “Advaita,” is a central concept in the Yogic tradi-

tion, asserting the inherent unity and interconnectedness of all existence. It chal-

lenges the illusions of separateness, emphasizes the unity within diversity, and

aims for a direct experience of interconnectedness through practices like medita-

tion and self-inquiry. Concepts like the union of Shiva and Shakti, transcending

the mind, and embracing both the holistic essence and the diverse elements of

reality illustrate this profound philosophy, highlighting a harmonious unity amid

infinitely diversified elements within the yogic tradition.

·

Reflect on a moment in your life where you felt a deep sense of inter-

connectedness or unity with others or the world around you. How does

this experience align with the non-dualistic philosophy of the Yogic

tradition, especially in terms of transcending the illusion of separate-

ness and recognizing the inherent unity within diversity?